RECORD TOTAL FOR SINGLE OFFERING OF WESTERN CONTEMPORARY ART IN ASIA
Bringing HK$573.2 million / US$73.8 million
Eclipsing previous record set at Sotheby’s in October 2020
POST-WAR AMERICAN TITANS COMMAND THEIR HIGHEST PRICES IN ASIA
Clyfford Still | Roy Lichtenstein | Willem de Kooning
FIERCE COMPETITION FOR WORKS BY YOUNG TALENT AND SIX NEW RECORDS ACHIEVED
Avery Singer | Toyin Ojih Odutola | Kudzanai-Violet Hwami
Chris Huen Sin Kan | Hajime Sorayama | Joel Mesler
*ALSO ANNOUNCED TODAY - Sotheby’s Special Collaboration with Jay Chou*
- Sale totals HK$951,854,000 / US$122,484,573 - well over high estimate (HK$ 616,050,000 - 894,350,000 / US$79.3-115m), establishing new record high for any Contemporary Evening Sale in Asia
- 100% sold, with 64% lots sold above high estimates
- Participants hail from over 30 countries
Historic High for Western Contemporary Art
21 works by Contemporary Western artists bring a combined total of HK$573,242,000 / US$73,764,779 - a record high for an offering of Western Contemporary Art in Asia. Tonight’s result surpasses the previous record achieved for Western Art offered across the entire Contemporary art series in October 2020, which totalled HK$478 million / US$61.6 million
Three masterworks by Western titans fetch in excess of HK$100 million / US$12.8 million each:
- Clyfford Still’s PH-568 soars to HK$126.2 million / US$16.2 million (est. HK$105-145 million)
- Gerhard Richter’s Schwefel (Sulphur) achieves HK$118.1 million / US$15.2 million (est. HK$80-100 million)
- Roy Lichtenstein’s Reflection on Thud! achieves HK$110.1 million / US$14.2 million (est. HK$78-108 million)
Works by Young Talents Command Fierce Competition
Salman Toor’s Three Boys soars to HK$5.6 million / US$723,182, ten times over its pre-sale estimate.
Zimbabwean artist Kudzanai-Violet Hwami’s Skye weNehanda sells for record HK$3.8 million / US$486,410 (est. HK$1.5-2.5 million).
Asian collectors pursue rising stars and set new records:
- An Untitled (Cube) by Avery Singer more than tripled its estimate to sell for HK$6.7 million / US$863,314 (est. HK$1.2-2.2 million)
- Fingers Crossed by Joel Mesler quintuples its high estimate to bring HK$1.5 million / US$194,564
- Toyin Ojih Odutola’s Eastern Entrance sells for HK$6.5 million / US$832,174 (HK$4.5-6.5 million
Just announced live from the saleroom
As the Contemporary sale closed this evening in Hong Kong, auctioneer Ian McGinley announced an exciting upcoming collaboration with legendary musical icon and avid collector Jay Chou. Known as the King of Mandopop, Jay is a musician, singer-songwriter, actor and director whose music, stage performances and movies have captured the hearts of millions. As one of the world’s biggest influencers, Jay is also a passionate and avid art collector. More information on this exciting collaboration will be disclosed in due course. CLICK HERE for teaser video.
